Historic ships and other San Diego pictorial meanderings

February 13, 2009

San Diego, California



Star of India

The sun shines. The winds blow. The city unfolds: rent a car and drive up the north coast, drive toward the desert, drive downtown to the Embarcadero. Take a pictorial tour.

See some of the collection of historic ships: The Star of India, the HMS Surprise, Russian submarine, and the Medea. See the aircraft carrier, the Midway. Drink in the museum ships.

Star of India

This is the oldest ship in the world that still currently sails to a schedule. Launched in 1863 from the Isle of Mann, she sailed with emigrants on board to New Zealand. Thereafter, to Alaska as a commercial vessel. She has made 21 trips around the world! Today she she is moored against a backdrop of high rises. Take a look around.

Star of India against the high rise backdrop of San Diego



Under full sail (Bergman)

Bow sprit and jib (Bergman)

The captain’s quarters: do right and fear not

The chest

The surgeon’s kit: Ouch. I’ll pass on the operation

One hand for yourself and one for the ship when furling a royal. Don’t look down

The no frills galley on the Star of India

Pickled eggs and cucumbers good for belching

Emigrants at dinner below decks of the Star of India

HMS Surprise

This is a superb replica of an 18th century Royal Navy frigate. It gives a feeling of what it would be like in warfare at sea under sail. HMS Surprise was used in the movie Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.

The bronze figurehead on the Surprise

Bronze sculpture on the stern: Neptune and who?

The ominous 18th century warship Surprise

Under full sail (Bergman)

Obey your orders, and do your duty like men, then you will fare well enough!


The Commander, Russell Crow

Water container in the commander’s dining saloon

The gun deck: seamen worked, slept, ate, and recreated among the guns

Do not disturb the gunner. Rats!

I am monarch of all I survey, my right there is none to dispute


Grog time: looks like the favorite bumboo is being imbibed

“Rum, the alcoholic component of grog, has become an integral part of Caribbean history, although the etymology of the word is unknown. Some think it comes from ‘rumbullion,’ a great tumult or uproar, no doubt a reference to the way one felt after a night of drinking with his mates. Others have suggested the namederives from rummer, a large drinking glass used by Dutch mariners. This potent, clear liquid beverage is made from distilled sugarcane juice and sugarcane by-products and has been called by a variety of names throughout time and across the globe. These include rumbo, rumbullion, rumbustion, rumscullion, Barbados water, devil’s death, kill devil, Nelson’s blood, screech, and tafia.

When sugar and nutmeg were added to grog, the drink was known as bumboo and is reputed to have been a favorite refreshment for merchant sailors and pirates.”

Tally up matey

Russian Submarine Podvodnaya Lodka: b-39

The b-39 signifies the boat is a diesel electric attack submarine. It was known as a long range or Pacific Ocean capable craft designed to kill American and Western navy ships and submarines. It has been known by several names, including Cobra and Pluto. At one time in its early history it was named in honor of a hard working Soviet collective–Komsomolets. The Soviets simply designated it a Project 651 vessel. Its name and number were changed often to fool the western military forces. The west identified it as a “Foxtrot” class.


The Russian submarine Podvodnaya Lodka: b-39


The captains quarters: he is groomed from childhood for his position and carried out orders to the letter

Officer quarters

Enlisted crew sleeping quarters

The galley: the chef served breakfast at 7 AM, dinner at midday, supper at 6 PM, tea and snacks at 10 PM

Standards were high: the captain tasted the food before it was served to the crew

Can you translate for me?

The nuclear missiles: not the real thing

Medea

The Medea is a 1904 steam yacht, artifact of the Gilded Age and preferred symbol of success for the wealthy elite. She has been restored with hand sawn oak, polished teak, and authentic furnishing throughout. Breathtakingly beautiful from Glasgow, Scotland.

Hailing port of the Medea: thow me the ring

Medea’s teak house on a riveted steel hull

Gold leafed artwork on Medea’s bow

Teak exterior with street car style windows that can be lowered for ventilation

Main steam pipe polished to reflection

The smoking saloon is a place to enjoy company with a drink and pipe. Also a dry haven during foul weather

The dining saloon paneling is made of quarter-sawn English Oak

The Midway

We only saw the mighty Midway aircraft carrier from far in the night. On shore this statue depicted the delight of a sailor’s homecoming.

Happy to be home: a giant sculpture on shore from the Midway aircraft carrier

Other meanderings

I took these photographs on a walkabout through Shelter Island Marina, Old Town, La Jolla, and Solana Beach.


Replica of Nima

Modern-day yacht in Shelter Island Marina flying the British flag

The lamp is lit in San Diego’s Old Town

La Casa de Estudillo was built by the Presidio Comandante in 1827. Walls are 3- to 5-ft thick made from adobe bricks on river cobble foundation

Flowering cacti towers in the casa garden

Prickly pear cacti in the casa garden

Father Antonio Ubach, passionate advocate for California’s Native Americans, last of the padres 1835-1907

A church in the light of the dying Old Town day

A pastel rainbow over La Jolla

Ice plants by the sea at La Jolla

The controversial sleeping beauties at the cove in La Jolla: locals want this cove for their children to swim in

Two riders taking the curve on the paraglider

Reach for the heights

The hang glider is above the clouds and gaining altitude. I’ll pass on the ride

I could walk forever on Solana beach, but Zulu calls

San Diego has been kind to us: the people polite and helpful. We anchored 10 days at the municipal dock in Shelter Island. Now anchored, we swing on the chain in the winds with the rain coming down.

This is a crossroads for cruising yachts going north and south: Australians, British, and Yankees all eager to discover what lies ahead. We are leaning more toward leaving Costa Rica in April for the Galapagos. But for now, Russ says we are going to Ensenada. One nautical mile at a time.

Tomorrow, Tuesday we will top off with water, fuel, and fresh vitals, stay one more night and leave Wednesday morning. The weather predictions are good. Fair winds are coming our way.

Adieu until further word from Mexico.